Franklinton man faces gun, assault charges

A Franklinton man who fired guns from his homeon Monday afternoon is due to appear in court this morning.

A Franklinton man who fired guns from his homeon Monday afternoon is due to appear in court this morning.

Billy Joe Damron Jr., 21, of 1006 Campbell Ave., is charged with improperly discharging a firearm into a habitation, felonious assault and inducing panic after holding his neighborhood hostage for about 31/2 hours.

For part of that time, Columbus police said, he randomly fired guns through windows and walls. Police said he had an SKS rifle, two handguns and a shotgun.

No one was wounded.

Damron's grandparents, mother and sister were in the house when the family called police at 4:20 p.m. to say he was off his medication for an undisclosed mental illness and had started shooting. They escaped unharmed.

After speaking with police negotiators, Damron came out of the house and was arrested.

Police said he fired multiple rounds into the home of John Niedermier Jr. at 1016 Campbell Ave. Niedermier was not home during the police standoff.

Damron also is accused of firing one shot at Officer Howard Brenner while Brenner was trying to cover the back of the house.